plate no. 4199

Self Portrait

Jean Béraud, 1909

oilAcademicismself-portraitportraitmanformal weartop hatprofileself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle value gradations and depicting formal attire.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the profile and overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral color, gradually building up darker tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face, hair, and clothing with broad strokes, focusing on the overall values.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the collar, bow tie, and jacket, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the small details like the pin and the handkerchief.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of yellow ochre and cadmium red to warm up the skin tones.

techniques